US SS action: measure with/without capo?

[touch33]

So I'm reading through the Factory setup instructions for the US Silver Sky, and Step One is "tune to pitch" and then setting the neck relief using a capo at the 1st fret and a finger-press at the last fret (to use the string as a "straight-edge"). Makes perfect sense, as that's how I've always done it. Then the instructions go on to discuss measuring the action – but it doesn't say whether the 1st fret capo is to be left in place or removed. I know Dan Erlewine makes action measurements with a capo at the 1st fret (to prevent the nut height/action from influencing the measurement). A minimal height difference, to be sure, but I'd like to start with how the Factory does is before I go off on my own and set it how I think it should be.

SO, Forumites, what say you – SS action measurement with/without a capo?

 

[touch33]

AND, OF COURSE – I just stumbled on "Skitchy's" (?) video dashing through setting the action, and HE doesn't use a capo at the 1st fret...

(and why can I only find these things AFTER I've posted?)

 

[Bogner]

Well...Here Is My Take On How I Do Things. The Capo Thing To Me Is Only A Simple And Incomplete Fix/Approach. Supposedly The Capo Alleviates The Nut From Influencing Things. The Problem Is That Overall It Doesn't Unless You Always Play With A Capo. You Need To Get The Whole Guitar Right From Saddle To Nut And Everything In Between. Having The Right Tools Helps. If You Indeed Do Have Them Then Nut Slot Depth And Saddle Height And Radius Can Be Dialed In Along With The Neck Relief Via A Neck Relief Gauge. And The Straight Edge Rule And The Notched Fret Rule Can Help With Neck Flatness And Fret Level As Well (Fret Rocker For Smaller Detailed Stuff). If You Address All Aspects In The Same Manner Your Chances Of Getting A Thorough High Quality Set Up Are Radically Increased. To Me, The Nut Is One Of The Most Crucial Things On A Guitar To Get It To Play Well And Stay In Tune, Etc. While Holding The String Down At The First And Last Fret Can Be A Help, That Is Only Part Of The Real Set Up Story. Can What I Call Incomplete Adjustments Radically Help And Make A Very Positive Difference? Absolutely But If You Really Want Your Guitar Right Then You Need To Do The Job Right. Once A Person Has Really Experienced And Gotten Used To A Really Proper Set Up It Is Impossible To Not Want That On All Your Guitars. The Problem Is The Knowledge, Having The Tools And Knowing What You Really Want And How To Go About Getting It. It May Take Some Time But To Me It Is Worth It. Most Self Professed "Luthiers" Are Hacks In My Experience. A Real True Lutheir And Repair Person/Proper Guitar Set Up Person Is Worth Their Weight In Gold And They Are Few And Far Between In Comparison To What Is Out There And Claiming To Be.

 

[touch33]

Well...Here Is My Take On How I Do Things. The Capo Thing To Me Is Only A Simple And Incomplete Fix/Approach. Supposedly The Capo Alleviates The Nut From Influencing Things. The Problem Is That Overall It Doesn't Unless You Always Play With A Capo. You Need To Get The Whole Guitar Right From Saddle To Nut And Everything In Between. Having The Right Tools Helps. If You Indeed Do Have Them Then Nut Slot Depth And Saddle Height And Radius Can Be Dialed In Along With The Neck Relief Via A Neck Relief Gauge. And The Straight Edge Rule And The Notched Fret Rule Can Help With Neck Flatness And Fret Level As Well (Fret Rocker For Smaller Detailed Stuff). If You Address All Aspects In The Same Manner Your Chances Of Getting A Thorough High Quality Set Up Are Radically Increased. To Me, The Nut Is One Of The Most Crucial Things On A Guitar To Get It To Play Well And Stay In Tune, Etc. While Holding The String Down At The First And Last Fret Can Be A Help, That Is Only Part Of The Real Set Up Story. Can What I Call Incomplete Adjustments Radically Help And Make A Very Positive Difference? Absolutely But If You Really Want Your Guitar Right Then You Need To Do The Job Right. Once A Person Has Really Experienced And Gotten Used To A Really Proper Set Up It Is Impossible To Not Want That On All Your Guitars. The Problem Is The Knowledge, Having The Tools And Knowing What You Really Want And How To Go About Getting It. It May Take Some Time But To Me It Is Worth It. Most Self Professed "Luthiers" Are Hacks In My Experience. A Real True Lutheir And Repair Person/Proper Guitar Set Up Person Is Worth Their Weight In Gold And They Are Few And Far Between In Comparison To What Is Out There And Claiming To Be.

thanks — lots to digest.

I’m new here, so pardon my asking: what’s up with capitalizing the first letter of every word in your post?

 

[Senor Verde]

I’m new here, so pardon my asking: what’s up with capitalizing the first letter of every word in your post?

Because he's a weirdo. J/K!